5/08/2012

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending the NICU Reunion -- a time to get together with the doctors, nurses, and staff who took such amazing care of J (and me, too!) when he was born and in those first rocky weeks of his life.

I wanted to do something to thank and acknowledge this amazing team of people who I will never forget. And if we'd just won the lottery, I would have booked them all on a Caribbean vacation...but, alas, with a real-people bank account and 50+ people to gift, I had to be a bit more resourceful and frugal.

Reminding myself that, "It's the thought that counts" (thanks Mom, Grandma, et al!) I came up with this little treat bag full of chocolates and mints and a heartfelt message. I'm happy with how it came out, and I was blown away by how much my little thank-you was appreciated by the nurses and staff...a reminder that we need to thank those people who make a difference in our lives more often, and that it doesn't need to be over-the-top.

Because this gift was for a group of people who truly helped as at one of our worst moments, I really wanted them to know that we still think about them and appreciate them. And so the pun of "Thank you for getting us through a ROUGH time" and including a piece of sandpaper on the bag to be oh-so-punny.

Now that I did this and heard so much positive feedback, I've started thinking of other people in my life who help me through difficult times (both big and small) and think I may keep sandpaper on hand at all times -- and not just because we really need to sand, prime & paint the basement steps ; )

Here's the project....which I plan to add to Pinterest:

Step One: Fill a small treat / gift bag with candies or other items (this was a 5" tall bag I purchased from Michaels)

Step Two: Fold over the top inch or so of the bag

Step Three: Cut squares of sandpaper (or another material/medium if you aren't using my pun of "Thanks for helping us through a ROUGH time") and place the piece in front of the bag

Step Four: Punch a hole through the sandpaper card AND the bag

Step Five: Use a gift tag with your written message (or ribbon, etc) through the hole in the sandpaper card and treat bag to tie both together (and keep bag tied firmly shut)